Benitez Responds To Pundits’ Undue Criticism Of His Tactics

Rafa Benitez has just finished his press conference this afternoon for the home game with Brighton & Hove Albion tomorrow afternoon.

Rafa has refused to talk about transfers, and he has told the press he has to concentrate fully on the upcoming games.

There was some over-the-top criticism of Rafa’s tactics against Manchester City on Wednesday, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating and in the last 15 minutes we had chances to score and get a draw.

So the tactics couldn’t have been that bad – but it was the only Premier League game on Wednesday, so pundits had to drum up some controversy to talk about.

Rafa Benitez – addresses the media

Rafa seems to take it all in his stride and here are some of the comments from the manager this afternoon:

“We are managers and we take responsibility for our decisions.” “We almost got a fantastic result. Many teams have played that way against Manchester City and nobody criticised.”

“I am pleased with the character of my players. West Ham was difficult for us. Against Man City, you could see the players are working hard. It’s a great response from the players.”

“We trained indoors (because of snow) but it was fine. We cannot train too hard to recover. We have worked tactically and tried to recover from the other night. The next game will be OK.”

“Our fans know this group cares. They traveled all over the Christmas period. We must stay United and we will be OK.”

Newcastle fans seem confident of a win tomorrow – with almost three if four Newcastle fans thinking we can win this game.

We must get the 3 points come hell or high water – preferably only high water!

Rafa: “I was talking with one of the pundits and when I said ‘do you want to be a manager?’ He said ‘No, I prefer to be a pundit; I can say what I want & I don’t take any risk!” The pundits – there are too many now – what they have to do is give opinion and create debate.”

Rafa: “Our players were happy because they followed the plan and we were nearly there, nearly winning a point at the end. To score, through Dwight at the end, it could be a fantastic game plan. Pundits are pundits, and we are managers.”

I dont think anybody will be happy if we dont put brighton on the back foot from the start rafa knows he has to win this one before thinking about stoke one at a time lads i said we would have 27 points by the 1st jan well we could have 24 with two wins that will do nicely. Happy new year

Rafa clappers? What moron invented that saying? If you mean the real fans, the ones who get off their ass week in week out to actually take their own time and money to watch the team they support, then who are you to diss them? Have any of you actually seen the inside of SJP in real life? Probably not. Gobshytes each and every one. I get it that some people can’t go and this isn’t aimed at those, but some overseas fans take holidays specifically to visit SJP, so all credit to those. The upshot is, if you can’t be bothered to go watch the team you claim to support, yet insult those who do bother, have you any idea how much of a dick that makes you sound? Seriously? I’ve always maintained that fans who go to games are the diehards and will never apologise for that. Like it or not, it’s a fact of life. It takes time, money and commitment to follow a team and you either do or don’t. That’s not to say you can’t support a team from a distance, but at least have the humility and commonsense to appreciate those who do make that effort. Without them, football would be nothing. I love music, but there are only a few artistes I would spend money on to watch live. Ditto comedians. Those who go to games at quite a cost when all is considered do so because they love the club. Those who don’t, but insult those who do are, frankly, dicks. The majority on here who can’t go, for varying reasons, love to hear reports from those who do. They’re the ones who would go if they could. Those who could go, but don’t, equally enjoy hearing from those who do make that effort. But those who just gob off at the those who make that massive commitment simply embarrass themselves. On another point, could the lad who does the website do us all a favour? Could you make it so those who give themselves a heart for their BS comments are outed? Would be fascinating to see a red heart next to those who do. 🙂 Or maybe a laughing face would be even more apt. Bad Loser, you previously stated you will never go to games whether Ashley leaves or not – the general lame excuse. You hate the club, the manager, the players and the fans, so exactly how and why do you consider yourself a fan? You ain’t. You’re a sad loudmouth idiot

Just skimmed though the last 24 hours posts, some of which make very troublesome reading!

I expect to find different points of view on a sports blog, especially one addressing a specific football club. However certain posts, on this blog, are especially disturbing and particularly offensive.

I’m concerned about CfN, it would appear that this sad person is desperately in need of help. His repeated comments are a classic case of a ‘cry for help’. He needs physiological help urgently. He may have problems with dyslexia, so do many people, but claiming ‘victim’ status is no excuse for repetitive, boring, illogical offensive posts.

Bladeuser, on the other hand, is simply just a rather nasty person, (I’m being specifically polite) and, as others have commented, should be just completely ignored. Like a bad smell, he will eventually go away.

The case for a ‘thumbs down’ button is probably a much needed blog facility?

From Bobbybee Those who go to games at quite a cost when all is considered do so because they love the club. Those who don’t, but insult those who do are, frankly, dicks. The majority on here who can’t go, for varying reasons, love to hear reports from those who do. They’re the ones who would go if they could. Those who could go, but don’t, equally enjoy hearing from those who do make that effort. But those who just gob off at the those who make that massive commitment simply embarrass themselves. This reminds me of an old arab saying:- He who knows not and knows he knows not is a child, teach him. He who knows not but knows not he knows not is a fool, spurn him. He who know, but knows not that he knows is asleep, wake him. He who knows and knows that he knows is wise, follow him. There does seem to be a few on here now in the second classification.

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health update

My latest bone scans and CAT scans were completed this week and I met with my oncologist Dr. Dhruva to go over the results.

The stage four cancer remains stabilized and hasn't spread over the last six months.

I was diagnosed with stage 4 prostate cancer in early 2017 after being in remission for six years.

There is no cure for stage 4 cancer - but there are treatments which attempt to prolong life.

I am upbeat with the results and remain in awe of the doctors and nurses at the Rex Cancer Center here in Raleigh, North Carolina

It's truly humbling to see how inspiring they are with their patients.

Ed Harrison

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